Team Western Command, through its Littoral Monitoring Station (LMS) Melville extended humanitarian assistance to the 17 crew of a Vietnamese Cargo Vessel named “DOLPHIN 15” that ran aground in Melville, Balabac, Palawan on December 27, 2022.
In a statement released by AFP-WESCOM, , the said Vietnamese vessel was monitored in the morning of December 21 to be underway at 4NM ESE of LMS Melville. Responding to the radio challenge, M/V Dolphin 15 disclosed that her last port of call was at Tacloban, Philippines and enroute to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam with 17 Vietnamese crew onboard and skippered by Captain Dang Van Minh.
In the evening of the same day, the Vietnamese ship radioed LMS Melville and requested to take shelter and anchor at vicinity 2.1 NM SW off LMS Melville due to worsening weather and sea conditions, to which the Philippine station approved.
On December 26, LMS Melville radioed and inquired with the Vietnamese vessel about their condition. The latter responded stating that they repositioned because their anchor was being dragged due to strong wind and current.
In the evening of December 26, LMS Melville observed that M/V DOLPHIN 15 repositioned near the shallow portion of Melville, Balabac. Upon inquiry, they informed the station that they are awaiting for the arrival of their sister company ship named M/V VICTORIA 19 for a towing operation, and added that the crew onboard are all safe and well.
On December 27, M/V DOLPHIN 15 informed LMS Melville that they intend to temporarily abandon their vessel as a safety precaution due to the possibility that the ship might be tilted. They requested for the availability of a sheltering area for their crew while waiting for the arrival of M/V VICTORIA 19.
As a good neighbor, the Philippine station accommodated, and provided shelter and food to the following 17 crew of M/V DOLPHIN 15:
1. Dang Van Minh – Ship Captain
2. Le Phu Tri
3. Truong Ngoc Dieu
4. Pham Van Chung
5. Nguyen Tat Minh
6. Nguyen Van Truong
7. Tran Van Ba
8. Truong Van Trung
9. Nguyen Van Luan
10. Bui Nguyen Thanh
11. Nguyen Van Tuan
12. Pham Van Loi
13. Bui Ngoc Long
14. Tran Van Ngoc
15. Phan Hai Duong
16. Nguyen Van Canh
17. Pham The Hung
Likewise, they were given medical and immigration assistance through the local government of Poblacion, Balabac.
As of 2:40PM today, LMS “Melville monitored the Vietnamese Cargo Vessel named “VICTORIA 19” anchored at vicinity 1 NM NW off Matangule Island, Balabac, Palawan.
“Notwithstanding our duty as protector of the Philippine territory and sovereign rights, your Western Command, as a good neighbor, is ready to provide humanitarian assistance to whoever and whenever it is needed,” Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos said. (VICTOR BALDEMOR RUIZ)
